Chapter 158 Sophie Winslow, Don’t Throw Yourself at Him

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Sophie Winslow, Don’t Throw Yourself at Him

It was a posture born of absolute confidence. In contrast, Sophie Winslow’s "aggressiveness" made her look like a clown. After all, the other party had someone backing them up. A mocking glint flickered in the corners of Sophie’s eyes as she slowly looked toward Julian Sterling. Sensing her gaze, he met her eyes once again.

Only at this moment did Sophie finally understand. Julian’s seemingly "life-risking" move to save her earlier was merely a man’s instinct to protect the weak. It wasn’t special treatment, nor was it out of care. Even strangers might show mercy and save someone, let alone a husband of seven years. If that was just a subconscious human reaction, then his current lack of hesitation in calming the entertainment club owner’s displeasure for Stella Sutton came from his heart. It was subjective, proactive, and a carefully considered act of favoritism. It also fueled Stella’s arrogance.

For a moment, Sophie didn’t know what to say. It felt as though anything she said would just be a desperate attempt to save face.

"It’s only natural for Mr. Sterling to take responsibility for Miss Sutton’s brother’s mistake, and compensating for the loss is a basic obligation. I imagine Miss Sutton wouldn’t mistake Mr. Sterling’s forced clean-up of this mess for the sweet flirting of a couple."

Adrian Hawthorne walked over slowly, holding Lydia by the hand. As he approached, he unbuttoned his suit jacket, took it off, and draped it over Sophie’s shivering shoulders.

Snapping back to reality, Sophie realized her clothes were also splashed with alcohol. She nodded and murmured a word of thanks.

Stella, on the other hand, felt a sharp sting from Adrian’s words. The smile that had just appeared on her face froze slightly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was insinuating something. Yet, if she denied it, wouldn’t it make her seem petty? But looking at Adrian’s face, she couldn’t spot a single trace of deliberate provocation.

Julian lowered his gaze, looking at Lydia beside Adrian, and remained silent.

With Julian’s guarantee just now, the club’s future promotions would be handled by Sterling Corp. This was essentially a godsend for the owner. He immediately hurried over and said, "We have a lounge available. Mr. Sterling and Miss Sutton, why don’t you go change your clothes first? We can also have our resident doctor check on Mr. Sterling’s injuries while you’re at it."

Hearing that they were arranged to change in the same room, the corners of Stella’s lips curled up. Sophie heard it too. It was an unspoken consensus among everyone present that the two of them were intimate enough to share a single room.

Adrian didn’t even spare Stella a second glance, turning his attention directly to Julian. "Mr. Sterling, please go ahead."

Julian stood up. Sophie didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but he seemed to sway slightly, his cold brows furrowing in silence.

"It’s all because Lydia is so stingy..." Seth Sutton, who had been cowering to the side, suddenly blurted out.

Lydia looked straight at him, her small face tight and expressionless. "When will you finally learn some manners?"

Seth already had a fragile ego. Hearing this, he exploded like a lit firecracker, huffing with anger as he lunged forward to push Lydia. Sophie almost wanted to kick him right then and there.

But a hand was faster. It grabbed Seth directly by the collar. Sophie looked over. To her surprise, Julian had walked over. He looked down at Seth with an impassive expression. "Go change your clothes with your sister."

Seeing Julian’s lack of expression, Seth felt a chill of fear and didn’t dare to act out anymore. He hurriedly grabbed Stella’s hand.

Stella hadn’t expected Julian to scold Seth over someone else’s child either. Her expression soured for a moment before she quickly rationalized it to herself. After all, it wouldn’t look good for him to show such blatant favoritism in public.

Sophie was also somewhat surprised.

Adrian had already picked Lydia up, his gaze locking directly onto Julian’s. "Thank you, Mr. Sterling, for your kindness toward my daughter."

That phrase, "my daughter," sounded completely natural, yet Julian stared back at Adrian. Neither man showed any obvious emotion on their faces. The air simply froze for two seconds.

Sophie couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Without sparing Julian another glance, she said to Adrian, "Let’s go."

Adrian shifted his gaze away. "Alright."

Lydia glanced at Julian and earnestly said, "Thank you, Mister." Her mother and Mr. Caldwell had always taught her to be polite. Earlier, she had seen this man protect her mother and stop Seth, so she felt she ought to say it.

Hearing that soft "Mister," a subtle ripple passed through Julian’s eyes.

Sophie exchanged a nod with Adrian and headed for the exit. They hadn’t gone far when a sudden gasp rang out behind them. It was accompanied by Stella’s voice. "Julian?"

Sophie’s footsteps paused for a fraction of a second, but in the end, she didn’t look back.

After dropping Lydia off at the Caldwells’ home with Adrian, it was already quite late by the time Sophie returned to her marital home. Adrian’s jacket was still with her, and she needed to wash it. Her own clothes were also completely ruined, so she simply took a shower and went straight to bed.

Julian didn’t come home that night. Sophie didn’t bother to ask about it; inquiring about his whereabouts was no longer her right.

The next day.

It was a rare weekend. By the time Sophie woke up, a call from the Sterling Family’s old residence had already come through. Ms. Coleman handed the phone to her. She was deeply averse to communicating with Madam Sterling these days, but biting back her reluctance, she answered it anyway.

"How did Julian get hurt? And to the point of needing to be hospitalized?"

Sophie herself was surprised. Hospitalized? She hadn’t expected it to be that serious. Julian hadn’t looked that bad yesterday; in fact, he hadn’t shown a single sign of pain.

"Don’t tell me you didn’t know?" Madam Sterling asked. She then added in a dissatisfied tone, "Sophie, you need to pay more attention to your own husband. Even I know about it, yet you’re still sitting at home? You should be at the hospital taking care of him. If you really want to get that divorce certificate, stop throwing these irrational tantrums."

Sophie rubbed her temples. To put it bluntly, yesterday’s mess was entirely Seth’s doing. She herself had been caught in the crossfire, and Lydia had been terrified. How could she possibly be in the mood to care whether someone else lived or died? Besides, Julian already had a considerate companion by his side taking care of him. Why should she bother trying to kiss up to a cold shoulder?

"How about this: aren’t you best at making herbal soups? Julian needs to nourish his body. Brew some and bring it to the hospital." Madam Sterling didn’t even give Sophie a chance to negotiate, directly issuing the order. "Have Coleman help you with it."

The call disconnected.

Ms. Coleman immediately asked, "Ma’am, what do we need to prepare?"

She was being forced into a corner. Sophie pursed her lips, knowing she couldn’t avoid it.

Ever since she became busy with work and started pulling away from the Sterling Family, it had been a long time since she last made any herbal soups. She knew Chinese medicinal herbs better than anyone, especially how to maximize their nourishing effects. Precisely because she was so skilled at it, simply eating her soups was enough to bring everyone’s health to its peak. During those years, she had practically been demanded to cook them every single day for her mother-in-law, aunts-in-law, and their extended families.

Sophie whipped up a quick, time-efficient herbal chicken stew. By the time it was done, Ms. Coleman had already packed it up and provided her with the room number. Carrying the insulated lunchbox, Sophie had no choice but to make the trip. Even if it was just putting on an act, it would at least placate Madam Sterling.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Sophie made her way to the door of the VIP ward on the specialized floor.

KNOCK KNOCK.

Just as she was about to push the door open, she heard a scoff from behind her, the person clearly staring at the "lovingly prepared insulated lunchbox" in her hand.

"There’s no need to go to such trouble. It doesn’t look like anyone here needs you to throw yourself at them."